Date 2006 January 19
Motivated Students in 2006 will Gain Credits on the Internet
Today, many students work on the internet to do courses over-and-above those provided by their schools.
They seek to increase their NCEA credits by doing astronomy courses provided by New Zealand’s National Observatory, the
Carter Observatory.
Observatory spokesperson, Robert Shaw, says astronomy inspires students, and they enjoy working on the internet.
“It is a change from the classroom and gives students greater freedom to work whenever they want.”
Over 300 students from throughout New Zealand have worked with the Observatory to gain NCEA credits.
One enthusiast is Benjamin Ching. Benjamin, a 16-year-old Timaru Boys High School student, was one of the first students
to complete all three on-line astronomy courses.
Benjamin’s school helped pay the costs of the course with GATE (Gifted And Talented Education) funds.
Benjamin, who has been interested in astronomy and space discoveries ever since he remembers, has also been to Florida
to see the launch of a rocket.
So it is no surprise that he found the astronomy courses exciting. He particularly liked the course “Space Exploration”.
Benjamin would love to get a career in astronomy, but for the present he is pleased to gain valuable NCEA credits using
his interest.
He also finds that astronomy is a great conversation opener when he meets new people.
Benjamin enjoyed doing the courses on-line as it allowed him to study when it suited him, leaving it when things were
busy and returning when he had the time.
ENDS